I was wondering how popular fan controllers are these days. Do you use one? Do you use it for case fans, CPU, GPU, HDDs / SSDs, or something else? Does it monitor temperature as well or have any other features?

I just purchased a LAMPTRON 4-channel controller that mounts in a 5.25" bay. It seems to be solidly built and works well so far. I previously had a Lian-Li controller with a digital display, and it failed after about 2.5 years. After doing some research, it seems as though most fan controllers aren't built with quality or longevity in mind?

I'm using the NZXT Sentry Mix 2. It's 6-channels at 30w per-channel and uses slider thingies to control speed. Other than 5 different LED light colors, it has nothing fancy like temp monitor or digital display. It's hooked up to 6 case fans and 2 CPU fans. Was able to hook up extra fans with fan splitter cable. Its cheap and it does its job I guess.

Fan controllers are neat if you want to manually adjust fans to spin slower but silent or at 100% for max cooling effectiveness but kinda noisy. Also lets me manage cables a bit better too. Instead of having random fan wires hooked up to the mobo and be seen in plain sight, I can route them all behind the motherboard tray.

Add-on, no. I've considered one, though. Currently using Define R4's built-in controller. Mostly set to 7 volts for three AF140s I've connected to it. Another AF140 is connected to mainboard via resistor. Also two SP120 for CLC, static speed via resistors. Should have stayed with stock, but one of them was rattling OOB - a much to common problem for Corsair Hydros. Would be better to manually control them all, I figure.

I'm using the NZXT Sentry Mix 2. It's 6-channels at 30w per-channel and uses slider thingies to control speed. Other than 5 different LED light colors, it has nothing fancy like temp monitor or digital display. It's hooked up to 6 case fans and 2 CPU fans. Was able to hook up extra fans with fan splitter cable. Its cheap and it does its job I guess.

Fan controllers are neat if you want to manually adjust fans to spin slower but silent or at 100% for max cooling effectiveness but kinda noisy. Also lets me manage cables a bit better too. Instead of having random fan wires hooked up to the mobo and be seen in plain sight, I can route them all behind the motherboard tray.

If there is ever a heat 'problem', I simply open the case panel, and blow air in with a floor fan.

My $25 floor fan is unbeatable.

I know a few people who do that! My office gets pretty hot during the summer, so I adjust all my fans to max while doing anything that's resource intensive. Otherwise, I like it to be as quiet as possible.

Add-on, no. I've considered one, though. Currently using Define R4's built-in controller. Mostly set to 7 volts for three AF140s I've connected to it. Another AF140 is connected to mainboard via resistor. Also two SP120 for CLC, static speed via resistors. Should have stayed with stock, but one of them was rattling OOB - a much to common problem for Corsair Hydros. Would be better to manually control them all, I figure.

Oh, this one looks good. Also knobs aren't tall, would let me keep the front door closed. Isn't available anywhere near me, though

I've always liked that case. I wish more cases offered a built-in controller like that.

Ideally, I think I would want a controller that automatically adjusts fan speed based on resource use; my old controller adjusted automatically based on temperature probes, but it was laughably inaccurate.

Ideally, I think I would want a controller that automatically adjusts fan speed based on resource use; my old controller adjusted automatically based on temperature probes, but it was laughably inaccurate.

For case fans I think that's not very relevant. You can get good enough airflow at inaudible fan levels. Your CPU and GPU fans are the important ones once you've got some basic airflow going.

These days mainboards have fairly good options. Asus Q-Fan, especially with Z97, seems to be the most featured. Fan type (DC or PWM) can be selected and control source (CPU, chipset) and minimum RPM. I think ROG boards could also tap into GPU temp sensor of ROG cards - I might be mistaken, don't take my word for it.

Anyway, might keep that in mind if (whenever) going for a new build (or an upgrade).

One thing I'd like would be the option to turn off fans (or at least keep them spinning, but at less voltage than is necessary for LEDs to light up). I can manually nibble that controller's switch into such position that it provides no contact and fans turn off, but a more robust solution wouldn't hurt.

These days mainboards have fairly good options. Asus Q-Fan, especially with Z97, seems to be the most featured. Fan type (DC or PWM) can be selected and control source (CPU, chipset) and minimum RPM. I think ROG boards could also tap into GPU temp sensor of ROG cards - I might be mistaken, don't take my word for it.

Anyway, might keep that in mind if (whenever) going for a new build (or an upgrade).

One thing I'd like would be the option to turn off fans (or at least keep them spinning, but at less voltage than is necessary for LEDs to light up). I can manually nibble that controller's switch into such position that it provides no contact and fans turn off, but a more robust solution wouldn't hurt.

That was the reason I went for one of these controllers years ago. Most of the time I have most fans off except the side and rear.

I know a few people who do that! My office gets pretty hot during the summer, so I adjust all my fans to max while doing anything that's resource intensive. Otherwise, I like it to be as quiet as possible.

I can well understand an office with multiple computers and many employees.

Maybe I will get more concerned with cooling, when I build an 8-core CPU gaming-type machine, in 2015.